FAQs

What is TIZO?

TIZO stands for Titanium Zinc Oxide. We only use mineral sunscreen ingredients Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide as the active ingredients in our sunscreen formulas. It’s right there in our name!

Why should I use a mineral sunscreen?

There are so many reasons to choose mineral sunscreens over chemical sunscreen filters.

Mineral sunscreens reflect UVA/UVB rays away from the skin, whereas chemical filters work by absorbing the rays into the skin, converting them to heat, and then releasing them from the body.

Mineral sunscreens are gentle and non-irritating to the skin.

Mineral sunscreens lay on top of the skin, and do not penetrate the skin or get into the bloodstream. Recent studies have shown that some chemical sunscreen filters do penetrate the skin and get into the bloodstream.

Proposed sunscreen regulations, The FDA has stated that Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are the only ingredients that are GRASE (Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective), whereas the 12 remaining chemical sunscreens need additional safety testing done and are not currently considered GRASE.

What makes your mineral protection different from others?

TIZO Mineral protection formulas use only the best ingredients that are medical grade quality. The feeling of these products is unparalleled in elegance, so you want to wear them every day. They are also extremely versatile, blending seamlessly with any skin type or tone. We do not use any dyes, parabens, fragrances, or chemical sunscreen filters.

Are your products reef friendly?

Yes! All TIZO mineral sunscreens are reef friendly, meaning they are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are banned in some locations, as well as all other chemical sunscreen filters. There is currently no specific approved test to certify a product as reef friendly.

Are any TIZO products part of the USDA BioPreferred program?

TIZO Sheer Botanicals SPF 45 is a plant-based product and is USDA Certified Biobased, containing 93% USDA certified biobased content.

Are your sunscreens non-nano?

Yes! All TIZO mineral sunscreens achieve non-nano particle sizing in their formulas. In their raw state some particles may be nano, but are then coated with inert ingredients so they are non-nano in our formulas.

Do your products contain parabens?

All TIZO products are free of parabens and other preservatives.

Are TIZO products tested on animals?

All TIZO products are cruelty free, meaning we do not test our products on animals or include ingredients that are tested on animals.

Are TIZO products gluten free?

All TIZO products are gluten free.

What gives TIZO products their tinted color? Do they contain dyes?

All tinted TIZO products achieve their universal tint from iron oxide. Iron oxide is often used in cosmetic products to provide coloration. It is gentle on the skin and non-toxic. It is known for being non-irritating and non-allergenic. TIZO products are free of all dyes and fragrances.

Will the non-tinted products make my skin white?

TIZO products are specifically formulated to disperse evenly without leaving a white cast. Our non-tinted sunscreens leave an elegant finish without a white cast, although some may leave a slight cast on some darker skin tones.

Why doesn’t TIZO make a sunscreen spray?

At TIZO, we do believe that products should be applied directly to the skin, rather than sprayed across space where they can be inhaled. Sprays also make it easy to miss spots during application and waste product as it goes into the air. A great alternative is our patented TIZO Sheerfoam SPF 30 that disperses easily on the skin, ensuring that you are properly protected.

Are your products water resistant?

Most TIZO products are water resistant for either 40 or 80 minutes. TIZO AM Replenish SPF 40 Tinted and Non-Tinted are the only exceptions. You can find the water resistance at the bottom of the front label on both the tube and carton.

Are TIZO products safe to use with tattoos?

The use of a great sunscreen is always important to protect the longevity of a tattoo. TIZO mineral sunscreens are perfect for protecting tattoos because of the way they reflect off the skin, rather than absorbing into the inked skin. We always suggest waiting until your tattoo is full healed before applying sunscreen.

Where are your products made?

All TIZO products are manufactured in the US.

Where can I find the expiration date?

The expiration date of our products can be found on the crimp of the tube, and on the bottom of the carton. The expiration date can be found on the bottom of the Sheerfoam SPF 30 bottle.

What is the shelf life of your products?

All TIZO mineral sunscreens have a three-year shelf life as long as the product has not been opened.

What does PA++++ mean?

The PA system, developed in Japan, provides a measure of UVA protection. PA++++ is the highest rating, meaning it has extremely high UVA protection. Use of this rating system is not required in the US and most US products are not tested for a PA rating.

What does Photoceutical mean?

Photoceutical is the name of our skin care line, specifically developed to combat photo-damage (damage from exposure to UV light).

Why is Alumina the first inactive ingredient listed on your packaging?

When it comes to OTC (over the counter) drugs, the inactive ingredients must be listed in alphabetical order. Alumina is just the first inactive ingredient alphabetically.

What does broad spectrum mean?

Broad spectrum means that the product provides coverage of UVB and UVA rays.

Do your products contain benzene?

We absolutely share your concern about the presence of benzene detected in some sunscreens and after-sun in recent testing. Since the lab that performed the testing did so independently, they clearly were able to test only a small subset of the many sunscreen and after sun products available. TIZO was not included in this testing. Our products are not part of any recall or any requested recall.

We have no reason to believe that there is benzene in any TIZO product, as we do not use any ingredients that contain or would break down to benzene. Because safety is of utmost importance, we are arranging for our products to be tested by an independent lab to verify that they contain no traces of benzene.

Please note also that the sunscreens used in TIZO do not penetrate the skin. While this is independent of the benzene question, sunscreen penetration was raised as a potential added concern in some of the articles reporting on this recent study.